If You Must Audition with a Menken Song, Use These

Given that he played a major role in inspiring a whole generation of performers, I do find it surprising that not more people use Alan Menken's material for auditions. Maybe because it's looked down upon to audition with a Disney song? Perhaps. I'll be honest when I say I've heard more than a few groans from behind the table when someone says they'll be singing a song from Beauty & the Beast. 

But in my opinion, Menken's material isn't off limits. His songs, along with Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, highlight the voice nicely, allow for a fully acted performance and aren't terribly complex that an intermediate accompanist can't handle it. 

So with that in mind here are eight Alan Menken songs that I would recommend, four for men, four for women. I've also gone ahead and cued each video with the suggestion section. 

Men

"Seize the Day" from Newsies

"A Million Miles Away" from Aladdin

"I Like It" from A Bronx Tale

"Out There" from The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Women

"Just Around the Riverbend" from Pocahontas

"The Life I Never Led" from Sister Act

"I Won't Say I'm in Love" from Hercules

"Mother Knows Best" from Tangled